🏡 HORN RAPIDS FILES

Special Report

Washington HOA Law Changes

What Every Homeowner Needs to Know (2026)

⚖️ One Law. One Standard.

Washington is eliminating the patchwork of HOA laws.

Beginning January 1, 2026, important provisions of the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) apply to all common-interest communities, including many older HOAs that previously operated under different statutes. By January 1, 2028, nearly every HOA in Washington will be governed by RCW Chapter 64.90.

📅 Open Board Meetings

What's Changed?

✔ Board meetings must generally be open to homeowners.

✔ Owners must receive advance notice.

✔ Executive sessions are limited to specific topics (such as attorney-client discussions, personnel matters, and litigation).

✔ Final decisions cannot be made in executive session.

📖 RCW 64.90.445

🗣️ Homeowner Comment Period

Beginning in 2026:

✔ Owners must be given an opportunity to comment at meetings before board action.

This is intended to increase transparency and homeowner participation.

📂 Greater Transparency

Boards must provide more access to information.

Examples include:

• Meeting notices

• Agendas

• Certain board materials

• Association records

The goal is to help homeowners better understand decisions affecting their community.

💳 HOA Payment Fees

Your HOA must provide at least one method to pay assessments without charging a convenience fee.

📖 RCW 64.90.480(10)

⚡ EV Chargers & Heat Pumps

HOAs generally cannot unreasonably prohibit owners from installing:

✔ Electric vehicle charging equipment

✔ Heat pumps

Reasonable conditions may still apply, especially when common elements are involved.

📖 RCW Chapter 64.90 (as amended by SB 5129)

📖 Governing Documents Still Matter

Your:

✔ CC&Rs

✔ Bylaws

✔ Rules

must be consistent with Washington law. If governing documents conflict with applicable state law, the statute controls to the extent of the conflict. Associations should review and update their documents as the 2028 transition approaches.

📅 Important Dates

🟨 January 1, 2026

Key WUCIOA governance and meeting requirements begin applying to pre-2018 HOAs.

🟥 January 1, 2028

The former HOA Act, RCW Chapter 64.38, is repealed, and nearly all Washington HOAs transition to RCW Chapter 64.90.

📚 Laws to Know

LawCitationWashington Uniform Common Interest Ownership ActRCW Chapter 64.90Open MeetingsRCW 64.90.445Assessment Payment OptionsRCW 64.90.480(10)Transition to WUCIOASB 5129 (2025)

💬 The Bottom Line

If your HOA says, "We've always done it this way," that's no longer enough. Washington law is changing, and every board should understand its obligations. Homeowners should understand their rights, ask questions, and expect transparency.

Sources

  • Washington State Legislature — RCW Chapter 64.90

  • Washington State Legislature — RCW 64.90.445

  • Washington State Legislature — SB 5129 (2025)

  • Washington State Legislature — SB 5796 (2024)